Little Boy's Mid Victorian Era Dress

From the seller:

This dress is framed, by the looks of it sometime in the 1930s or 1940s. I have not removed it from the back nor do I think this has been handled but under it's glass, for nearly a 100 years. It doesn't seem to be pinned or stapled down. The dress is enclosed with the provenance of the young man who wore it, but I think that there is a back story to this 26" X 22" piece. I think that it was a hand-me-down from prior to the Civil War as the style of the dress is more of that period. The dress is in as found condition as shown. I don't think it would be good for anything but study or reproduction the small rosebud pattern certainly is early and lovely.


From Me:

I agree with the seller - this is probably from even earlier than the very late 1870's. My guess is 1860's as well. Little boys wore dresses prior to the age of the washing machine for a very good reason...at least until they were potty trained. ;-) So it's all together possible this was the same dress his big sister or big brother wore. Or maybe even Mom or Dad!